SW 640 Midterm Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update 2025-2026
Matrix of Domination - Answerssees social structure as having multiple, interlocking levels of
domination that stem from the societal configuration of race, class, and gender relations
Social Construction of Race - Answers-With regard to race, we learn how to be what we are
through social interaction and social location
-race, class, and gender do still matter
-shapes everyone's lived experiences
-race, class, and gender are systems of power
Anderson/Collins on race - Answers-race, class, gender still matters because as a society we
still structure ourselves to value some lives more than others
-systems have been so deeply engrained in law they have intergenerational effect on economic,
political, and social institutions
Matrix of Domination vs. Difference Framework - Answers-M of D: thinking relationally, focused
on unique group experiences and cultural differences of race, class, and gender
-Diff Framework: thinking comparatively, broader study of the interrelationships among race,
class and gender
Issues with Difference Frameworks - Answers-can privilege those who are deemed to be
"normal" and stigmatize those considered "different"
-create either-or categories - black or white, oppressed or oppressor, powerful or powerless,
normal or different
-promotes oppression ranking
-examples; additive model, diversity model, multicultural model
The Additive Model - Answers-fosters a view of oppressions as equivalent and being the same
-this model is a never ending process
The Diversity Model - Answers-just bringing in the voices. how do we hear every voice?
-this model is disconnected from social and historical realities
The Multicultural Model - Answers-implies that race, class, and gender are only important on the
level of culture
-will not help us dismantle systems of power
, Think about race, class, and gender as: - Answers-systems of power
-3 fundamental systems of power among many others (education, gender identity, etc),
influence all others
-to develop perspective that goes beyond an illumination of the experience of oppressed groups
-changes how we understand groups who are on both sides of power and privilege
Racism defined by Peggy McIntosh - Answers-individual acts of meanness by members of one
group
-individual systems conferring unsought racial dominance on one group from birth
-system not equitable
Prejudice vs. Racism - Answers-prejudice: a hostile attitude toward people who are presume to
have alleged negative characteristics associated with a group to which they belong
-racism: a system of power and privilege, can be manifested in different group advantages and
disadvantages based on their location in the societal system
Oppression - Answers-not simply suffering or being made to feel bad
-describes as living one's life as confined and shaped by forces/barriers which are not
accidental, but systematically related to each other and restrict or penalize motion in any
direction
-bird cage metaphor (Marilyn Frye)
Cultural Humility - Answersno way to know everything, assumes a level of completion with
cultural competence, we are always learning
Critical Race Theory - Answers-study and analysis of the law in the relationships among race,
racism, and power
-says law is not color-blind and colorblindness not better than race consciousness
Historical Trauma - Answerscumulative emotional and psychological wounding across
generations, including the lifespan, which emanates from massive group trauma
Historical Oppression - Answers-expands on and includes historical trauma
-includes both historical and contemporary forms of oppression
-describes the chronic, pervasive, and intergenerational experiences of oppression that, over
time, may be normalized, imposed and internalized into daily lives
Matrix of Domination - Answerssees social structure as having multiple, interlocking levels of
domination that stem from the societal configuration of race, class, and gender relations
Social Construction of Race - Answers-With regard to race, we learn how to be what we are
through social interaction and social location
-race, class, and gender do still matter
-shapes everyone's lived experiences
-race, class, and gender are systems of power
Anderson/Collins on race - Answers-race, class, gender still matters because as a society we
still structure ourselves to value some lives more than others
-systems have been so deeply engrained in law they have intergenerational effect on economic,
political, and social institutions
Matrix of Domination vs. Difference Framework - Answers-M of D: thinking relationally, focused
on unique group experiences and cultural differences of race, class, and gender
-Diff Framework: thinking comparatively, broader study of the interrelationships among race,
class and gender
Issues with Difference Frameworks - Answers-can privilege those who are deemed to be
"normal" and stigmatize those considered "different"
-create either-or categories - black or white, oppressed or oppressor, powerful or powerless,
normal or different
-promotes oppression ranking
-examples; additive model, diversity model, multicultural model
The Additive Model - Answers-fosters a view of oppressions as equivalent and being the same
-this model is a never ending process
The Diversity Model - Answers-just bringing in the voices. how do we hear every voice?
-this model is disconnected from social and historical realities
The Multicultural Model - Answers-implies that race, class, and gender are only important on the
level of culture
-will not help us dismantle systems of power
, Think about race, class, and gender as: - Answers-systems of power
-3 fundamental systems of power among many others (education, gender identity, etc),
influence all others
-to develop perspective that goes beyond an illumination of the experience of oppressed groups
-changes how we understand groups who are on both sides of power and privilege
Racism defined by Peggy McIntosh - Answers-individual acts of meanness by members of one
group
-individual systems conferring unsought racial dominance on one group from birth
-system not equitable
Prejudice vs. Racism - Answers-prejudice: a hostile attitude toward people who are presume to
have alleged negative characteristics associated with a group to which they belong
-racism: a system of power and privilege, can be manifested in different group advantages and
disadvantages based on their location in the societal system
Oppression - Answers-not simply suffering or being made to feel bad
-describes as living one's life as confined and shaped by forces/barriers which are not
accidental, but systematically related to each other and restrict or penalize motion in any
direction
-bird cage metaphor (Marilyn Frye)
Cultural Humility - Answersno way to know everything, assumes a level of completion with
cultural competence, we are always learning
Critical Race Theory - Answers-study and analysis of the law in the relationships among race,
racism, and power
-says law is not color-blind and colorblindness not better than race consciousness
Historical Trauma - Answerscumulative emotional and psychological wounding across
generations, including the lifespan, which emanates from massive group trauma
Historical Oppression - Answers-expands on and includes historical trauma
-includes both historical and contemporary forms of oppression
-describes the chronic, pervasive, and intergenerational experiences of oppression that, over
time, may be normalized, imposed and internalized into daily lives
